EBF RESPONSE

EBF welcomes the ECB confirmation of the implementation of the Integrated Reporting Framework (IReF)

Brussels, 10 June 2026 – The European Banking Federation (EBF) welcomes the European Central Bank’s (ECB) confirmation of the implementation of the Integrated Reporting Framework (IReF) and the publication of the key milestones for its rollout. This announcement provides the clarity the banking industry has consistently called for and establishes a timeline that will enable banks to prepare effectively for implementation. By confirming the roadmap, the ECB gives institutions the planning horizon needed to mobilise resources, adapt systems and ensure a smooth transition to the new framework.

 The EBF considers IReF a major milestone towards a truly integrated reporting system in Europe. Its success will depend on close alignment with other reporting and data harmonisation initiatives, particularly the Banks’ Integrated Reporting Dictionary (BIRD), which the EBF has supported since its inception. The continued development of BIRD, alongside the establishment of a common data dictionary across reporting domains, will be essential to promote consistency, reduce duplication and support the efficient implementation of integrated reporting across the European financial sector.

For banks, the value of IReF lies not only in greater integration but also in its potential to simplify the reporting landscape through harmonised definitions, increased data re-use and the gradual reduction of overlapping reporting requirements. Such simplification can contribute to Europe’s broader competitiveness agenda by enabling banks to deploy resources more effectively towards innovation, growth and the financing of the European economy.

The EBF welcomes the ECB’s commitment to provide further information ahead of the public consultation and encourages continued engagement with the industry throughout the next phases of the project. Early dialogue and transparency will be critical to ensuring that IReF delivers on its objectives of improving data quality, reducing reporting fragmentation and enabling greater integration and re-use of data across reporting domains. This collaborative approach will be essential to building a more efficient and coherent European reporting framework.

The EBF stands ready to engage constructively with the ECB as work progresses towards the public consultation and subsequent implementation phases. Building on the strong cooperation established through previous reporting initiatives, the EBF remains committed to contributing its expertise to support the successful delivery of IReF and the broader vision of integrated reporting in Europe.

For more information:

Gonzalo Gasos, Senior Director of Prudential Policy & Supervision, g.gasos@ebf.eu

Francisco Saravia, Senior Policy Adviser – Prudential Policy & Supervision, f.saravia@ebf.eu

About the EBF:

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The federation is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere.